Red Beans ‘n Rice on Meatless Monday

20 Mar

Now I know some of you think I may be immune to kitchen faux pas, but believe me every now and then I experience an oops. I’ve been in a NOLA state of mind from Mardi Gras posts on social media, food photos from chefs and food enthusiasts and chats about culinary doyenne Leah Chase. […]

Enjoy Heart-Healthy & Indulgent Dessert

14 Feb

It’s all about hearts, the symbol of love. I ♥ you, you’re my sweetheart, my heart beats for you, you’re my heartthrob, and without you I’m heartbroken. Celebrate loving and being loved with this mouthwatering heart-healthy dessert. I know it looks indulgent, but it isn’t. Lemon Pound Cake 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking […]

Bake Good Things to Eat —Streusel Top Coffeecake is Delish!

16 Dec

  During this season of noshes, nibbles, buffets, potlucks, tree trims and other festive occasions, I am sure there are a few that you look forward to every year. One of my can’t miss gatherings is the annual holiday brunch that connects friends from the Kraft Kitchens. As you might imagine, a gathering of food […]

Holiday Delights (get the ebook)

17 Nov

Download ChowChow & Soul™ Holiday Delights by Charla Draper

Thanksgiving Prep–Let’s Talk Turkey

16 Nov

If you’re hosting the holiday meal, it‘s time to give serious thought to prep and cooking of the turkey if you’re dishing up a menu of turkey plus the fixins’. One of the biggest snafus that can come with the signature meal is failure to completely thaw the turkey. To avoid facing the icy challenge […]

Pasta for Dinner? Make Robust Tomato Sauce

17 Oct

According to the food calendar, we are in the midst of National Pasta Month. In my book pasta is always good from mac ‘n cheese, to ravioli to spaghetti with meat sauce, you can’t go wrong with pasta. This robust red sauce is one to keep on hand– I usually make a double batch keeping […]

What’s Cooking On The Family Grill?

4 Sep

Our family has had a couple of pitmasters that know what to do with a slab of ribs—my brother Tony and Uncle Ellie.  Uncle Ellie is now throwing down and grilling with friends and family in heaven, but we do have finger-lickin’ memories of ‘cue from Ellie’s grill. The family specialties include pork and lamb […]

Start National Soul Food Month with Black-Eyed Peas in Salad

30 Jun

It’s National Soul Food Month and folks must look toward eating and being healthier. There is greater awareness of the many health challenges faced by African Americans—diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity.  We need to increase consumption of many traditional soul foods. The foods are not unhealthy, it’s how we adorn the food […]

Dishin’ on Soul Food: Nutrition Pro Talks Food & Health

27 Jun

I’ve heard a lot of chatter about soul food and health. Some folks have even banished it from their diets. As a soul food enthusiast and one who celebrates the heritage and history of these foods and their contribution to the American menu, I reached out to a health pro for the 411 to set […]

National Soul Food Month Celebrates Food Legacy

1 Jun

June is National Soul Food Month. This is the 15th annual celebration of the heritage and foodways of African Americans and peoples from the African diaspora. The yearly recognition grew out of the 2001 Chicago area conference hosted by the Culinary Historians of Chicago. In working on the conference, I realized we needed to celebrate […]